Table 2 Patients’ responses to four point likert scale questions exploring their perception about generic medicines
From: Evaluating patients’ perceptions regarding generic medicines in Jordan
Question | Survey questions/Statement | Frequency (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Strongly disagree | Disagree | Agree | Strongly agree | ||
1 | Physicians should ask patients about their medicines preference. | 29 (7.25) | 75 (18.75) | 174 (43.5) | 122 (30.5) |
2 | Patients should have the option of choosing between generic and originator. | 33 (8.25) | 55 (13.75) | 221 (55.25) | 91 (22.75) |
3 | I don’t mind the pharmacist substituting the medicine I was prescribed to a cheaper equivalent one. | 8 (2.00) | 92 (23.00) | 235(58.75) | 65 (16.25) |
4 | I don’t mind my prescribed medicines to be substituted from originator to generic. (e.g. Panadol to Revanin). | 6 (1.50) | 82 (20.50) | 228 (57.00) | 84 (21.00) |
5 | My medicines should only be substituted from originator to generic if I request. (e.g. Panadol to Revanin). | 69 (17.25) | 77 (19.25) | 141 (35.25) | 113 (28.25) |
6 | I don’t mind the pharmacist substituting my prescribed medicine to an equivalent locally produced one. | 3 (0.75) | 84 (21.00) | 204 (51.00) | 109 (27.25) |
7 | I prefer to be prescribed locally produced medicines. | 3 (0.75) | 97 (24.25) | 178 (44.50) | 122 (30.50) |
8 | I prefer to be prescribed a well-known brand. | 158 (39.50) | 131 (32.75) | 99 (24.75) | 12 (3.00) |
9 | I prefer to be prescribed imported rather than local medicines. | 150 (37.50) | 143 (35.75) | 87 (21.75) | 20 (5.00) |
10 | Costs should be considered before a drug is prescribed. | 3 (0.75) | 81 (20.25) | 220 (55.00) | 96 (24.00) |
11 | I don’t mind whether my prescribed / dispensed medicine is locally produced or imported as long as it is effective. | 0 (0.00) | 85 (21.25) | 217 (54.25) | 98 (24.50) |
12 | I prefer to be prescribed / dispensed the cheapest medicine available for the treatment of my condition. | 18 (4.5) | 14 (3.50) | 251(62.75) | 117 (29.25) |
13 | Cost is not an issue for me as long as the medicine will treat my condition. | 103 (25.75) | 214 (53.50) | 41 (10.25) | 42 (10.50) |
14 | A more expensive medicine is a better one. | 157 (39.25) | 99 (24.75) | 69 (17.25) | 75 (18.75) |
15 | Imported medicines are better. | 154 (38.50) | 127 (31.75) | 66 (16.50) | 53 (13.25) |
16 | Using generic medicines would provide significant saving to me. | 0 (0.00) | 87 (21.75) | 229 (57.25) | 84 (21.00) |
17 | In general, medicine costs in Jordan are too high. | 3 (0.75) | 65 (16.25) | 203 (50.75) | 129 (32.25) |